Have you ever wondered what it takes to become an astronaut or what it’s like to live in outer space?

Three astronauts shared their experiences and perspectives at the parent and teacher lecture series offered by the Carmel Public Library Foundation and the Carmel Unified School District.

Stephen Nathaniel Frick, American astronaut and a veteran of two Space Shuttle missions. Frick’s second mission delivered and outfitted the European Space Agency’s Columbus Laboratory, preparing it for future scientific work benefitting life on Earth.

Daniel Wheeler Bursch, American astronaut, had four spaceflights, including a record making long-duration stay aboard the International Space Station from December 2001 to June 2002.

James Hansen Newman, American astronaut, had four spaceflights, including the first Space Shuttle mission to begin the assembly of the International Space Station. He was initially responsible for conducting flight crew and flight control team training for all mission phases in the areas of Orbiter propulsion, guidance, and control. He was subsequently selected by NASA to serve on the first Space Shuttle mission to carry hardware to space for the assembly of the International Space Station.